Nanotechnology: Giving a New Dimension to Food Industry

Nanotechnology: Giving a New Dimension to Food Industry

Nanotechnology: Giving a new dimension to Food Industry

INTRODUCTION:

A derivative of chemistry, engineering, and physics, and micro fabrication techniques, nanotechnology involves manipulating matter at the nanoscale level. It is responsible for determining not only that biological and nonbiological structures measuring less than 100 nm exist but also that they have unique and novel functional applications. In fact, the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI, 2006) defines nanotechnology as “the understanding and control of matter at dimensions of roughly 1 to 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable novel applications.” Because applications with structural features on the nanoscale level have physical, chemical, and biological properties that are substantially different from their macroscopic counterparts, nanotechnology can be beneficial on various levels. Research in biology, chemistry, engineering, and physics drives the development and exploration of the nanotechnology field. Consequently, certain industries such as microelectronics, aerospace, and pharmaceuticals have already begun manufacturing commercial products of nanoscale size. Even though the food industry is just beginning to explore its applications, nanotechnology exhibits great potential. Food undergoes a variety of postharvest and processing-induced modifications that affect its biological and biochemical makeup, so nanotechnology developments in the fields of biology and biochemistry could eventually also influence the food industry. Ideally, systems with structural features in the nanometer length range could affect aspects from food safety to molecular synthesis.

Potential Food Applications:

All organisms represent a consolidation of various nanoscale-size objects. Atoms and molecules combine to form dynamic structures and systems that are the building blocks of every organism’s existence. For humans, cell membranes, hormones, and DNA are examples of vital structures that measure in the nanometer range. In fact, every living organism on earth exists because of the presence and interaction of various nanostructures. Even food molecules such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are the results of nanoscale- level mergers between

sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids. As it applies to the food industry, nanotechnology involves using biological molecules such as sugars or proteins as target-recognition groups for nanostructures that could be used, for example, as biosensors on foods. Such biosensors could serve as detectors of food pathogens and other contaminants and as devices to track food products. Nanotechnology may also be useful in encapsulation systems for protection against environmental factors. In addition, it can be used in the design of food ingredients such as flavors and antioxidants. The goal is to improve the functionality of such ingredients while minimizing their concentration. As the infusion of novel ingredients into foods gains popularity, greater exploration of delivery and controlled-release systems for nutraceuticals will occur. Although nanotechnology can potentially be useful in all areas of food production and processing, many of the methods are either too expensive or too impractical to implement on a commercial scale. For this reason, nanoscale techniques are most cost-effective in the following areas of the food industry: development of new functional materials, food formulations, food processing at microscale and nanoscale levels, product development, and storage.

Nanodispersions and Nanocapsules:

As the fundamental components of foods, functional ingredients such as vitamins, antimicrobials, antioxidants, flavorings, and preservatives come in

Study Uncovers Mesothelioma Link to Nanotechnology

Study Uncovers Mesothelioma Link to Nanotechnology

Mesothelioma has long been linked to the inhalation and exposure to asbestos fibers and dust, so when scientists uncovered an additional potential cause for this incurable form of lung cancer, the unthinkable became a reality.

According to researchers based out of the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars in Washington D.C., the early 90′s development of carbon nanotubes has been an amazing feat for technological applications, however, it has not gone without its price. Specifically, carbon nanotubes may be causing harm to the human body in the form of mesothelioma cancer.

If the carbon nanotubes are introduced into the wrong environment, the development of lesions and inflammation of the lungs occurs – symptoms similar to that of mesothelioma cancer and asbestos exposure. Researchers uncovered the finding through exposure of carbon nanotubes to animals.

Dr. Andrew Maynard, who published a study in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, described the use of nanotubes and the potential link to mesothelioma cancer. He said that currently, nanotubes are being implemented because of their awesome abilities at conducting heat and electricity. Mostly, Dr. Maynard explains, the nanotubes are being implemented into sports equipment. He said that there are no regulations as to where nanotubes can be implemented and there are currently no requirements for the use of nanotubes to be disclosed to the general public.

What Are Nanotubes?

According to Maynard, nanotubes are a product of nanotechnology research, one he considers the “poster child” of nanotechnology. The nanotubes are cylindrical structures comprised of carbon atoms that have been rolled together. Maynard’s study found that when mice were exposed to nanotubes, they developed asbestos-induced symptoms within the lungs. While he and other researchers consider nanotubes to be safe – when encased – the risk occurs when nanotubes are incinerated or broken.

Nanotubes are currently being used in:

* a variety of sports equipment

* bicycle frames

* tennis rackets

* electronic gas detectors

* radios

Additionally, because of the strength of nanotubes, many consider its future use to vastly effect several business ventures and areas, and be widely used in industries including:

* aerospace

* automobile

* airplanes

* television box productions

* medical

* environmental uses

Working with Nanotubes

While the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is doing research on nanotoxicology, there is little knowledge or research currently available regarding the safety of using nanotechnology. Additionally, Dr. Maynard noted that because of the ever-increasing nanotechnology industry, which is likely to be worth .6 trillion by 2014, it will be difficult to adequately and accurately assess nanotechnology safety because of the technology’s quick growth, which is also being used in the food industry.

Transparency of nanotoxicology among some nanotechnologically-produced products may fall into the hands of manufacturers and producers, which John M. Balbus, health program chief for the Environmental Defense Fund who was interviewed in a Washington Post article on nanotechnology, said could either be a very good thing with open communications, or a very bad thing replicating the mistakes made among the construction industry’s use of asbestos. However, he noted that upfront communication regarding the dangers of nanotechnology with the public may increase because of the previous mistakes made by other industries in hiding mesothelioma conditions from the public.

Finding Help with Nanotube

Fluorescent glow of carbon nanotubes in live fruit fly

Rice University scientists have captured the first optical images of carbon nanotubes inside a living organism. The research appears in the September 2007 issue of Nano Letters. The researchers fed carbon nanotubes to newly hatched fruit flies. Using a laser, they excited a fluorescent glow from the nanotubes and took pictures of the near-infrared glow with a custom microscope. The researchers hope the technique will be useful in finding new ways to diagnose disease.
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Physics Today

Very simple method (CVD spray pyrolysis) for producing multiwalled carbon nanotubes at industrial scale. They grow inside a quartz tube at 900° C, from a mixture of ferrocene, toluene and argon gas

Physics of Carbon Nanotube Devices (Micro and Nano Technologies)

Physics of Carbon Nanotube Devices (Micro and Nano Technologies)

Possibly the most impactful material in the nanotechnology arena, carbon nanotubes have spurred a tremendous amount of scientific research and development. Their superior mechanical and chemical robustness makes them easily manipulable and allows for the assembly of various types of devices, including electronic, electromechanical, opto-electronic and sensing devices.

In the field of nanotube devices, however, concepts that describe the properties of conventional devices do not apply. Car

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